A parakeet is a wonderful pet if you can get her to trust you! Here I have made a guide to help you with this relationship. But above all, have fun!

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Steps

1

First, slowly and gently approach the bird cage speaking softly. Gently place your hand on the side of the cage nearest to your parakeet until your adorable little bundle of feathers does not flap insanely. Repeat this daily until she is really comfortable with your hand being on the cage bars at any given time. Changing the birds food and water daily without disturbing it too much is also good this early in the taming process.

2

Then, try sticking your hand inside the cage, slowly place your hand near the cage bottom. Don't be discouraged when your bird starts flapping around. If your bird panics, remain calm and slowly retract you hand while speaking softly. Take it slow and respect your bird. Remember that they are untamed, and they will be scared. Comfort your bird by speaking softly. Do this for about a week. Your goal here is for her to go about doing whatever she is doing when you put your hand inside the cage.

3

When you notice you bird has become more comfortable with your hand in the cage, try offering food. Most budgies really enjoy Spray Millet as a treat. Calmly approach the cage and speak softly as usual and slowly put your hand into the cage with a 4" clipping of Spray Millet. Hold it out to your bird, but do not force it in your birds personal space. Your bird might be nervous and may not approach you the first time. Don't be discouraged! Hold the treat there just out of reach of your bird and wait 10 minutes. Keep doing this twice a day, your bird will be overcome with curiosity eventually and will try the food.

4

Your bird might try to nibble on your hand, and might even bite you to test you. It is VERY important to stay calm and not react to a bite. Which means you must not shout, flinch or jerk your hand away from the biting bird. If you flinch or jerk your hand away, your bird will learn to bite you as a way of making you leave them alone. Most birds never bite, but incase this happens you must be brave and accept the bite calmly. It will feel like a hard pinch, nothing more. Now your bird knows that biting you does nothing to you, and she will eventually realize that biting is not an effective means of communication.

5

If your bird has eaten the Millet, congratulations! Keep up the good work, and continue to hand feed your bird in a gentle manner. You want your bird to decide to come to you on its own. This means they are beginning to see you as someone who can be trusted.

6

After your bird is comfortable taking millet from you, try holding the millet in the palm of your hand and holding your hand just out of reach of your bird. This means your bird must hop onto your hand to get the treat in your palm. Remember to be calm and speak softly.

7

Your bird might try jumping to another perch inside the cage to reach the treat. This is okay, and you should not move away. Your bird is actively problem solving and working up its courage to investigate your hand. Allow your bird to find ways of getting closer, and coming to you while having the freedom to say 'no' and give up its pursuit of the treat if it chooses to.

8

Now that your bird has observed your behaviour, she knows that you are calm and will not make any unexpected moves. She may decide to hop on your hand and eat the treat! When she does, keep your hand very still and don't interrupt. Wait till your bird has decided to jump off your hand before you move it. Keep up this method, and before long your bird will come to appreciate the respect and patience you have shown her in her taming sessions. Eventually your bird will see you mean her no harm and will begin to accept you.

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